Roseville mom arrested in child's death released

AUBURN — A Roseville woman arrested on suspicion of murdering her 2-year-old child last week was released from custody Monday afternoon.
Denise Marie Wilder, 37, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of homicide and child endangerment in connection with the death of her daughter, McKinley Wilder.
The Placer County District Attorney’s Office said Monday it would hold off on charging Wilder until it receives a final report from the Placer County Coroner’s Office.
Wilder’s defense attorney Jess Bedore said outside the Auburn jail Monday that there are too many unknown questions in the case.
“If they had enough evidence to charge her, she’d be charged and she wouldn’t be walking out of jail,” Bedore said. “This tells you that there is no evidence.”
Lynnette Low of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office said a final autopsy report for the case could take anywhere from six to eight weeks to be completed.
Dee Dee Gunther of the Roseville Police Department said police had probable cause to arrest Wilder due to the highly suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the child.
“We stand by that decision,” Gunther said. “(The District Attorney’s Office) is not dismissing charges. They are delaying filing charges until they get more information from the autopsy report.”
Just after 5 p.m. on April 4, Roseville police and fire crews were called out to a home in the 300 block of Diamond Oaks Road to a report of a child not breathing.
Upon arrival to the home, emergency crews found Wilder intoxicated and her 2-year-old child deceased, police said.
Wilder’s other child, a 5-year-old girl, was also at the scene and released to the custody of Child Protective Services. She has since been placed with family.
The home where the deceased child was found belongs to the children’s grandparents, who were away from home at the time.
According to Gunther, the children’s grandparents called police that morning to report they had not heard from Wilder or their grandchildren for a couple days and they were “concerned.”
Wilder appeared in court at the Auburn jail Monday afternoon, wearing a red jumpsuit and handcuffs.
She smiled slightly when presiding judge Larry Gaddis stated the court was releasing her on her own recognizance because a formal complaint has yet to be filed.
Outside, family members and friends close to the case huddled together as they exited the courtroom, refusing to comment to reporters.
Wilder’s next court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m., May 8 in Department 13 at the Auburn jail.
The district attorney is continuing to work with Roseville police as the investigation continues.
Toby Lewis can be reached at tobyl@goldcountrymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TobyLewis_RsvPT.